12 BULKDISTRIBUTOR Tank Containers
July/August 2020
Kick-off for
ePIcenter
Van den Bosch supports
Plastic Bricks project
By building classrooms with bricks made from recycled
plastic, UNICEF has achieved a scoop in Africa.
This year, bulk logistics operator Van den Bosch is again supporting
the development project Plastic Bricks in Ivory Coast.
One and a half million children cannot attend school in Ivory Coast,
simply because there are not enough classrooms. Supported by
UNICEF, the Columbian organisation, Conceptos Plasticos processes
plastic waste into bricks for the construction of classrooms in the
country. No less than 130 tons of plastic waste were recycled and
turned into bricks for schools in 2019, which led to the construction
of 26 classrooms for 1,300 children.
The Plastic Bricks project is not only a solution for classroom
shortages, but also reduces pollution. Only 5 percent of all plastic is
recycled in Ivory Coast, as a result of which the country has become
very polluted. Plastic Bricks also supports vulnerable mothers - by
collecting plastic and selling it to the factory for a good price, they
can secure an income. In the future, lavatories and storage for
medical supplies will also be built using the plastic bricks.
Van den Bosch CEO Rico Daandels explained the decision to become
involved once again in the project: “The massive increase in the
amount of plastic waste is a global problem that we cannot ignore. In
a unique and constructive way, UNICEF will help recycle plastic waste
in the Plastic Bricks project to benefit local people in Ivory Coast. It is a
promising and innovative project that our organisation gladly
supports.”
Van den Bosch has had a strategic partnership with UNICEF
Netherlands since 2011.
Meanwhile, Van den Bosch has successfully completed the GMP+
audit.
This means that the current GMP+ certification, an international
The Plastic Bricks project is not only a solution for classroom shortages, but also reduces pollution
declaration to ensure feed safety, will be extended by another three
years.
Since 2000, Van den Bosch has been allowed to carry the GMP+
certification. This means that all standards within the feed industry are
met. Every three years an organisation must be recertified. The
company has to demonstrate that the transport of raw materials for
the feed industry is carried out in accordance with the set standards
and the quality of the transported product is optimally guaranteed
during transport.
Due to the coronavirus crisis, the quality audit was conducted
digitally this year: a new experience for both the auditor and Van den
Bosch. During the audit, the focus was in particular on the GMP+
orders that have been performed. This concerns the transport of raw
materials for the feed industry, such as soy oil, salmon oil and
methionine. The audit was successful, which means the GMP+
certification will be extended by another three years.
Van den Bosch has a dedicated fleet available to meet the demands
of the feed safety industry. The equipment meets strict requirements
and audits are conducted on a regular basis to ensure safe transport
in accordance with the standards of GMP+ International, the
certifying organisation. All Van den Bosch subcontractors are also
GMP+ certified.
www.vandenbosch.com
Under the co-ordination of Port of Antwerp, Den Hartogh
Logistics together with a consortium of 35 partners, has
officially launched the ePIcenter project. ePIcenter stands for
Enhanced Physical Internet-Compatible Earth-frieNdly freight
Transportation answer, and is funded by the European Horizon
2020 programme.
As a specialist in supply chain visibility Den Hartogh joined forces
with various ports, forwarders, cargo owners, logistics providers,
knowledge institutes and technology firms to provide hands on
solutions that turn global supply chain challenges caused by
increasing length, complexity and vulnerability into opportunities.
The goal will be to enable seamless transport of goods, focusing
especially on the technological and operational opportunities that the
internet, ‘synchromodal’ operations and other disruptive technologies
– such as such as Hyperloop, Industry 4.0 and autonomous vehicles
provide - provide.
ePIcenter has a global scope, with a number of large-scale
demonstrators on main shipping routes from Europe to Canada and
the US, as well as new trade routes such as the Northern Sea Route
and the new Silk Road routes. Technology innovators and
environmental experts will collaborate to develop new solutions which
increase the efficiency and sustainability of global supply chains.
Den Hartogh says it is the ideal end user for this test case of
ePIcenter solutions, providing grounded, real-world opinion and
feedback on how to work in a global network. The Netherlandsbased
firm’s expertise in transporting dangerous goods and
partnership with MOLCT will be relevant to standards and design of
synchromodal optimisation rules and focus on digitalisation and
supply chain visibility will contribute to solutions for the supply chain
of the future.
Port of Antwerp will host one of the large-scale demonstrators. The
‘Link of the Future’ demonstrator will focus on implementing the
various ePIcenter innovations in one of Europe’s largest multimodal
transport hubs, as well as realising the first transcontinental cyber
secure trade lane. Furthermore, Antwerp’s international network will
create possibilities for worldwide knowledge sharing and
improvement of the tools developed in the project.
Erwin Verstraelen, chief digital and innovation officer at the port,
said: “We are very enthusiastic about kicking off the ePIcenter project,
which will allow us to create a transcontinental, integrated and
transparent freight corridor by leveraging existing and promising
technologies, frameworks and data standards. Port of Antwerp and
Port of Montreal, both important nodes in the global supply chain,
will act as catalysts for symbiosis among the different stakeholders.”
The goal of the ePIcenter is to enable seamless transport of goods, focusing on opportunities
that the internet, synchromodal operations and disruptive technologies provide
Peacock appoints new CFO
Tank lessor Peacock Container has appointed Jason
Kennedy as chief financial officer.
In his role Kennedy will oversee Peacock’s financial reporting,
treasury, capital management and risk functions, and will have an
active involvement in commercial pricing strategies and portfolio
management. Kennedy is based in Peacock’s Singapore office and
report to managing director Jesse Vermeijden.
“We are very pleased to have Jason on board. The combination
of knowledge he has gained as a senior financial executive over
many years as well as his extensive experience in tank container
leasing provide a unique opportunity to strengthen the Peacock
team. He will be a major asset to the company,” said Vermeijden.
“We aim to grow our platform through building a team of
people with diverse and complementary skill sets. Jason’s
appointment certainly continues this strategy and we are
confident he will be an integral part of the Peacock team,
enabling us to grow the business and realise our potential,” he
continued.
For his part Kennedy commented: “I am strongly motivated to
join what is a young, energetic and very capable team. Over many
years Jesse and the team have built a well-respected and capable
business with strong foundations. The company has a bright
future, and I look forward to becoming an integral part of the
Peacock family, excited by the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Prior to joining Peacock Kennedy was chief financial officer of
Singapore-based lessor Raffles Lease and Buss Global, a German
KG fund with a focus on intermodal assets, having been with both
companies since 2010.
www.peacockcontainer.com